Spring Haze

April 19th

Following the thread of a dream
I turned over slowly in my sleep,
Running on a narrow footpath in
Spring haze.

Skyline straight
Green of grass flowing
The sun singing
I am treading.
I don’t want to be awaken from the dream.

I want to walk even only in a dream.
My feeling shimmered and wavered
As if in spring haze.

My sister asks me
Now what? And then?
Because I am ill, because they are worried, because it’s incurable,
Everybody asks.

Food
Work
Money
Uber-pragmatic questions
What are you going to do about?

As I don’t have the answer, I say nothing.
I can’t tell now.
I said quietly.

My family is waiting for me.
I am staying.
I am not clinging onto.

As I love people
I love this area.
Azabu Juban
But MAMA is leaving.

I still have things to do.
I can’t go home
I am still on my journey.
I need to do what I want to do
It’s a race against time
My life limit crossed my mind.

Why don’t I act up?
Under the pretext of disability?

Now what? What am I going to do about?
Simmering and wavering like spring haze
Time is just passing by
Even now.

Sister has left.
Quiet
Somber, heartwrenching

I want to see my mother
Spring haze in the country.

Poem by Maria Franki

Edited and translated by J. Ujiie

©2011